half-dozen years or more, has been about america's role in the world, in a rapidly changing strategic environment, and about america's interests looking forward. finally, i would add as a qualification for today's discussion, and like most former holders of high office in washington, he has been willing over and over again to step outside the conventional wisdom when the issue aren't said taking some risks with his own reputation. is one of mcmaster the most prominent of a very small, elite, important class of individuals who have earned the title of warrior soldier. he has been willing to critically examine the past and has done so with such power rather than end his military career, the work has advanced it. his ph.d. in pieces became a widely influential book beliesiction of duty: that led to vietnam." the title gives you some idea of his appetite for straight talk. he is equally known for achievement as a combat commander, earning a silver star for leadership in the 1991 gulf war, and even broader recognition for his enormously influential success in the ar in the calif iraq war. he went back